[TROID] Project: Clarifying Common Doubts and Misconceptions Affiliated with the Month of Rama??n

al-?amdulill?h, this year we will be continuing our series of clarifications on doubts and misconceptions that happen in Rama??n (in sh?? All?h). Throughout the month, look for updates as we expand this noble project. We ask All?h to make it of benefit to all. Introduction from last year:

The blessed month of Rama??n is a time of worship and righteous deeds. However, during this month, many misnomers and false practices exist. The following is a compilation of common doubts and misconceptions corrected and clarified by Islamic scholars.

Consequently, when some doubts and misconceptions affiliated with the month of Rama??n became widespread, I saw it fit to clarify some of them so that people will not be deluded by them, for how many a time have you heard the expression: Whoever dies during Rama??n will enter paradise without any reckoning, or that they will not be punished in the grave? Or the expression: The beginning of Rama??n is reserved for All?h’s mercy, its middle for His forgiveness, and its end for redemption from the Fire?

A Clarification of Some Common Doubts and Misconceptions Affiliated with the Month of Rama??n, as Clarified by Some of Our Noble Scholars
Verily, the Book, the Sunnah, and the consensus of the scholars have all affirmed the fact that enjoining the good and forbidding the evil is something incumbent upon at least a portion of the Ummah.
All?h, the Most High, has spoken in numerous places in His Glorious Book about this affair, for He said in one place:
????????? ???????? ??????? ????????? ????? ????????? ????????????? ?????????????? ???????????? ???? ?????????? ?????????????? ???? ?????????????? ?????

"Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good [Isl?m], enjoining [i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Isl?m orders one to do] and forbidding [polytheism and disbelief and all that Isl?m has forbidden]. And it is they who are the successful." [S?rah ?l-Imr?n, 3:104]

Likewise, the Prophet (?) has made mention of it on many occasions; for instance, he (?) said: "Whosoever of you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand, and if he is not able to do so, then let him change it with his tongue, and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart—and that is the weakest of faith." (Reported by Muslim.)
As a result, the scholars—both past and present—have unanimously agreed that enjoining the good and forbidding the evil is mandatory upon whoever has the ability to do so. Ibn Taymiyyah (???? ????) said: "The scholars of the religion have agreed that enjoining the good and forbidding the evil is mandatory upon the people" (J?mi’ al-Mas?il, vol 3, pg. 381)
Also, al-Nawaw? (???? ????) stated when commenting on his (?) statement: "Let him change it with his hand" the following: “Therefore, it is a mandatory affair, as agreed by the Im?ms” (?har? ?a??? Muslim, vol.2, pg. 22).
And from enjoining the good and forbidding the evil, is the issue of clarifying truth from falsehood and not remaining silent about it. All?h, the Most High, has said:
????? ?????????? ???????? ???????????? ???????????? ???????? ????????? ??????????? ????"And mix not truth with falsehood, nor conceal the truth while you know it." [S?rah al-Baqarah, 2:42]

"Those among the Children of Israel who disbelieved were cursed by the tongue of D?w?d [David] and ??sa? [Jesus], son of Maryam [Mary]. That was because they disobeyed [All?h and the messengers] and were ever transgressing beyond bounds. They used not to forbid one another from the munkar [wrong, evildoing, sins, polytheism, disbelief, etc.] which they committed. Vile indeed was what they used to do." [S?rah al-Ma?idah, 5:78-79]

Consequently, when some doubts and misconceptions affiliated with the month of Rama??n became widespread, I saw it fit to clarify some of them so that people will not be deluded by them, for how many a time have you heard the expression: Whoever dies during Rama??n will enter paradise without any reckoning, or that they will not be punished in the grave? Or the expression: The beginning of Rama??n is reserved for All?h’s mercy, its middle for His forgiveness, and its end for redemption from the Fire?
Therefore, the following is a series of brief articles highlighting a few common doubts and misconceptions that are often repeated upon the tongues of the common folk, specifically upon the inception of this blessed month. Additionally, in some cases, mention will be made about their origin.
I ask All?h by His Beautiful Names and Perfect Attributes to grant me tawf?q in this venture, and to make it a source of benefit for the Muslims.
Written by: Musa Shaleem Mohammed
13th June, 2016.